One of the most daunting aspects of any job search is crafting the perfect resume. We can’t tell you how to make the perfect resume, because there’s no such thing, but here are five ways you can improve your resume and make it stand out from the crowd.

Keep it Short

Employers are sifting through dozens of resumes. Keep your resume limited to one page with short paragraphs so that whoever reads doesn’t feel like they’ve been handed a chore. This will also help you keep only the best bits of your resume.

Write in the Active Voice

Writing is more engaging when it’s active. If you don’t know the difference between passive and active voice writing, here’s an example. Instead of writing “I have good customer service skills,” you would write “I excel at customer service.”

Use a Sans Serif Font

There’s no standard font to use on resumes, but whatever you choose, make sure it’s sans serif. Sans serif means that there’s no little “foot” on the bottom of the letter, and it’s easier to read sans serif fonts.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

There’s no standard format to resumes anymore, so don’t worry about whether experience, work history, or skill list goes first. What matters most is what’s impressive and relevant to the job you’re applying to. You can’t be sure the employer reads your entire resume unless you give them a reason to keep going, so if your experience is more relevant to your skill list, put it first.

Add a Headshot

We don’t mean add a full-page headshot as an actor would, but you need to stand out. Add a nice picture of your face to the header of your resume, only about an inch and a half tall. You want to be more than just a name and list of skills in their mind. They may be conjuring their own picture of you in their mind when they start reading your resume, and a headshot makes sure they see the best version of you.